
April 14, 2007
Hyperglycemia and DKA, Hypoglycemia
Question from Duncan, Oklahoma, USA:
What happens to a person’s body when they become hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic? Which is more harmful?
Answer:
You should read Insulin-Dependent Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Adults by Ragnar Hanas, M.D. This book contains great information and details about these questions since they are way too complicated to answer here. The short answer is that both are not so good for your body–the hypoglycemia immediately, especially if it affects brain functions – memory, thinking, control of body; and the hyperglycemia long term, also brain function, but circulation to the heart, nervous systems, kidneys, eyes and then eventually the entire body plus extra damage to the nervous system.
SB